Why bank SMS is the spending data you are not using
A coffee at Al Baik, a Careem ride or a mada tap at the mall can each trigger an alert with the amount, merchant and account or card reference. That is a useful, real-time record of spending — but it is hard to act on when every transaction lives in a separate message thread.
FinArt closes that gap. Instead of copying transactions into a spreadsheet, it turns eligible bank and wallet SMS messages into a budget you can review as you go.
How automatic SMS-based tracking works
- Install FinArt on Android. Download the app and choose the tracking features you want to use.
- Allow SMS access. FinArt reads transaction alerts on your device to extract the merchant, amount, date and account or card reference.
- Review your organised spending. Eligible transactions appear in your expense history, categorised and ready for your budget review.
Because the workflow uses the alert already delivered to your phone, FinArt does not need your bank username, password or open-banking login.
Expense-tracking options compared
| Method | Setup | Ongoing effort | Data handling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank-linked apps | Bank connection required | Low | Transaction data is shared with the service |
| Manual SMS copy-and-paste | No account connection | Paste each transaction | Depends on the app's sync settings |
| Automatic SMS parsing with FinArt | No bank login | Automatic on Android | Private Mode keeps data on-device |
Saudi banks and wallets FinArt can recognise
FinArt is designed to parse transaction SMS formats used by Saudi banks and wallets people use every day, including:
- Al Rajhi Bank
- Saudi National Bank (SNB)
- STC Pay
- mada
- Alinma Bank
- Riyad Bank
- Bank AlBilad
- SABB
Bank alert wording can change. If your transaction messages are not recognised as expected, contact FinArt support so the format can be reviewed.
For expats: see salary, spending and remittances together
Many residents manage income and daily spending in SAR while setting aside a monthly remittance. When eligible salary deposits, purchases and outgoing transfers are captured in one place, you can see the full month before deciding how much is available to send home.
Is it safe to let an app read bank SMS?
It is sensible to be careful with financial data. FinArt uses transaction alerts to identify the amount, merchant and date; it does not require your banking credentials. If you choose Private Mode, your financial data remains on your device rather than being synced elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to link my bank account to use FinArt?
No. On Android, FinArt reads eligible transaction SMS your bank already sends to your phone. It never asks for your online-banking username or password.
Does this work with STC Pay?
FinArt is designed to recognise STC Pay transaction alerts in the same way it reads bank transaction SMS.
What happens to my data in Private Mode?
Private Mode keeps your financial data on your device rather than syncing it elsewhere.
Do I have to manually enter or paste anything?
No. On Android, FinArt can read eligible transaction SMS automatically and log the details for you.
Can it track remittances alongside regular spending?
Eligible outgoing transfers, salary deposits and everyday spending can appear together, giving you one view of your monthly money flow.
